Collapsible flexible material candle mold

ABSTRACT

An inflatable mold system for internally illuminated candles burnable from the top having a cavity within wax of the candle. The mold system includes irregularly shaped portions and an enlarged portion collapsible for easy removal from an internal cavity in the candle.

United States Patent 1191 Andeweg [4 June 11, 1974 COLLAPSIBLE FLEXIBLEMATERIAL 1,177,240 3/1916 Gates .Q 425/010. 44

CANDLE D 4 3,136.831 6/1964 Zinn 264/316 X 3,239.59] 3/1966 Wendt425/DIG. 44 Inventor: Fritz .1. Andeweg, 7737 Royal Ln., 3,258,3846/1966 Scott 425/D1G. 44 Dallas, Tex. 75230 3,454,997 7/1969 Ligon et a1425/D1G. 44 Filed J 13 1972 3,594,877 7/1971 Suda et al. 425/DIG. 44

[21] Appl. No.: 262,245 Primary Examine rRobert L. Spicer, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Warren H. Kintzinger [52] U.S. Cl 249/178,249/152, 264/314,

425/D1G. 44, 425/803, 425/389 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. B29c 1/12,B28b 7/32 [58] new of Search 249/55 78, 152, 142; An inflatable moldsystem for internally Illuminated 264/314. 425/803 389 324 B 326 DIG 44candles burnable from the top having a cavity within wax of the candle.The mold system includes irregu- [561 12143223411222??? 42214211232315:

e e o UNITED STATES PATENTS Gandhi 59,460 1l/l866 Ryder 425/8031,142,342 6/1915 McNeil 425/D1G. 44 6 Claims, 6 Drawing FiguresCOLLAPSIBLE FLEXIBLE MATERIAL CANDLE MOLD This invention relates ingeneral to hollow wax candles adapted for internal illumination and, inparticular, to an inflatable mold system for producing candles having aninternal cavity. The internal illumination for hollow wax candles issuch as presented in my co-pending US. Pat. application Ser. No.212,107, filed Dec. 27, 1971 and titled Internally Illuminated Candle.

Internally illuminated candles are quite beautiful with an internal glowthrough candle wax of the candle created by light from an internalcavity within the candle wax. There are problems, however, in producingwax candle bodies having such internal cavities and particularly withsuch candles having additionally artistic ornamental shapings. Manylight intensity varied artistic results are obtained with varied candlewall thicknesses from an internal cavity to the outer surface of acandle. Another requirement with internal cavity equipped candles isthat of holding candle wicking in place as candle wax is being cast intocandle bodies.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide aflexible material candle mold bladder for producing internal cavities incast candle wax bodies.

Another object is to provide such a candle mold bladder of irregularshape.

A further object is to provide a candle mold bladder for producing acandle wax body internal cavity having an enlarged portion deep withinthe wax body as the candle is cast.

Another object with such an inflatable mold system for casting candlewax bodies is to provide a candle wick end hold grasper on the top of aninternal cavity mold bladder.

Still a further object is to provide an inflatable mold system forproducing candles with an internal cavity portion and an externalportion having artistic irregular shaping.

Features of the invention useful in accomplishing the above objectsinclude, in an inflatable mold system for producing candles having aninternal cavity, an inflatable candle internal cavity mold bladderconnected to an inflation and deflation control system connected to andthrough a container within which candles are cast. Some of the internalcavity mold bladders are equipped with an enlarged upper (or innermost)portion that must be at least partially collapsed for removal from theinternal cavity of cast candle bodies. Further, some internal cavitymold bladders are also equipped with a wick end grasping holder thatexerts a pronounced grasping force on the wick end when the bladder isinflated and a wick end has been positioned in the grasping holder. Anexternal inflatable mold bladder is also provided for the casting ofsome candle wax bodies that is equipped for providing various desiredcast shapes to the candle body providing various candle wall thicknessesas may be desired. In many instances the external inflatable moldbladder is connected to the same inflation and deflation control systemas the candle internal cavity mold bladder.

Specific embodiments representing what are presently regarded as thebest modes of carrying out the invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a top view of a candle in a mold;

FIG. 2, a cut away and sectioned side view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1showing detail of a candle and candle mold system with an interiorcavity mold bladder in the inflated state;

FIG. 3, a cut away and sectioned side view similar to FIG. 2 with theinterior cavity mold bladder in the collapsed state;

FIG. 4, a partial top plan view from line 4-4 of FIG. 3 of the interiorcavity mold bladder showing candle .wick end hold grasper detail;

FIG. 5, a cut away and sectioned side view such as that of FIG. 2showing detail of a candle and candle mold system with both an interiorcavity mold bladder and an external mold bladder in the inflated state;and,

FIG. 6, a cut away and sectioned side view similar to FIG. 5 with boththe interior cavity mold bladder and the external mold bladder in thecollapsed state.

Referring to the drawing:

The candle of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 is shown to have a wax body 11 cast in amold system 12 including an outer cylindrical shell 13, that, in someinstances, would have a severable half section (detail not shown) foreasy candle removal from the mold shell 13. The mold system 12 alsoincludes an inflatable and collapsible internal cavity molding bladder14 that is equipped with an enlarged portion 15 larger in diameter, wheninflated, than the shank 16 of the mold bladder 14. The shank 16 of themold bladder 14 extends through opening 17 in mold system bottom plate18 to an enlarged annular lip edge 19 held in place within opening 20 ofa cap 21 fastened to bottom plate 18 as by screws 22. A fluid conduittube 23 extends through opening 24 in cap 21 to fluid control valve 25that is switchable between fluid pressure line 26 connected to a fluidpressure source (not shown) and fluid evacuation or vacuum line 27connected to evacuation means (also not shown).

Referring also to FIG. 4 the top of mold bladder 14 is provided with aplurality of wick 28 end grasping holder projections 29 that, whileflexible to some degree with the mold bladder 14, assume a tightenedgrasping state about the enlarged lower end 30 of wick 28 when the moldbladder 14 is inflated. Then as the bladder 14 is evacuated andcollapses the wick end grasping holder projections 29 relax their gripon the enlarged wick end 30. Thus, with the mold bladder 14 collapsedand of less diameter than the hole 31 molded .by the shank 16 of moldbladder 14 it may be easily removed from the candle body interiorleaving an enlarged cavity portion 32 deep within the candle wax body.Wick 28 is suspended from a support member 33 that may be part of awicking feed structure (detail not shown) until the candle wax pouredinto the mold system has hardened when it may be severed at anappropriate candle wick burning length.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 portions of the candle10' and of the mold system 12' the same or substantially the same aswith the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 will be given either the samenumber or primed numbers as a matter of convenience. Here in addition toan inflatable and collapsible internal cavity molding bladder 14,substantially the same as with the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, themold system 12 also includes an external inflatable and collapsible moldbladder 34. The internal fluid chamber for mold bladder 34 is defined bycup member 35, having an outer cylindrical wall 36 and a bottom annularsection 37 with a recess 38 where the bottom lip 39 of bladder 34 isretained in sealing confinement against the. bottom of mold systembottom plate 18, and the mold bladder 34 itself. This is with an upperbeaded sealing lip edge 40 of the bladder 34 placed in resil ientlystressed sealing contact with the outer top end of wall 36 just below anoutwardly extended wall lip edge 41. The internal fluid chamber of moldbladder 34 is in fluid communication with fluid conduit tube 23' throughone or more fluid conduit tubes 42. Fluid conduit tube 23 also extendsthrough opening 24 in cap 21', that may be bonded to bottom plate 18,and to fluid control valve 25 that is switchable between fluid pressureline 26 and fluid evacuation line 27.

The mold system 12 not only provides the means for producing candleswith internal cavities having an enlarged innermost portion suitable fora great range of internal illumination effects but much more. Theexternal bladder 34 may be formed with any variety of shapes concave andconvex, rings and indentions in achieving additionally ornamentalartistic results heightened by .light intensity variation through variedcast candle body wall thicknesses from the internally illuminatedinternal cavity of the candle. It should be noted that the flexiblematerial of the external bladder 34 is capable of stretching through thearea of an annular ring 43 producing an annular ring 44 cast in a candlebody sufficiently to clear the candle body during removal from the moldsystem 12 when external bladder 34 is in the collapsed state. Obviously,the flexible material used for the bladder 14 and bladder 34 in therespective embodiments must be a rubber or synthetic rubber, or plasticor other material capable of withstanding the temperature of molten wax(approximately 190 F or higher) being poured into the mold system.Further, the bladders are of material withstanding the temperaturecycling required and repeated cycling of inflation and evacuationcollapse in repeated mold casting and removal of solidified cooledcandles.

Whereas this invention is illustrated and described with respect to aplurality of embodiments thereof, it should be realized that variouschanges may be made without departing from the essential contributionsto the art made by the teachings hereof.

I claim:

1. In an inflatable mold system for the casting of objects having aninternal cavity: an inflatable and deflation collapsible external andinternal mold bladder, said internal mold bladder shaped to desiredinternal cavity shape when inflated and deflation collapsed to an easyremovable state when deflated; fluid pressure means; fluid evacuationmeans; valve control means for applying fluid pressure from said fluidpressure means and for connecting said mold bladderin fluidcommunication with said fluid evacuation means; and wherein said moldbladder is shaped with an enlarged portion and a smaller diameter shankwhen inflated to mold an internal cavity having an enlarged cavityportion and a shank-opening of smaller diameter than the enlarged cavityportion andextending from the enlarged cavity portion to the exterior ofthe object being molded.

2. The inflatable mold system of claim 1 wherein said inflatable anddeflatable external mold bladder section is shaped to mold desiredshaping on the exterior of mold cast objects; fluid communication andvalve control means for applying fluid pressure from said fluid pressuremeans and for connecting said external mold bladder section in fluidcommunication with said fluid evacuation means.

3. In an inflatable mold system for the casting of objects having aninternal cavity: an inflatable and deflation collapsible mold bladdershaped to desired internal cavity shape when inflated and deflationcollapsed to an easy removable state when deflated; fluid pressuremeans; fluid evacuation means; valve control means for applying fluidpressure from said fluid pressure means and for connecting said moldbladder in fluid communication with said fluid evacuation means; saidmold bladder is shaped with an enlarged portion and a smaller diametershank when inflated to mold an internal cavity having an enlarged cavityportion and a shank opening of smaller diameter than the enlarged cavityportion and extending from the enlarged cavity portion to the exteriorof the object being molded; wherein said object being molded is a candlewax body; the mold bladder material is a material capable ofwithstanding the temperature range cycle of molten candle wax to ambientand repeated inflation and deflation cycles with repeated mold castingcycles; and wherein candle wick positioning and support means isprovided on said mold bladder for'positioning a wick in each candle waxbody being mold cast.

4. The inflatable mold system of claim 3, wherein said candle wickpositioning and support means includes, an above the mold wick carrier;and lower wick end multiple grasping projections from said mold bladderpositioned to firmly grasp the lower wick end when said mold bladder isin the inflated state and to relax grasping hold on the lower wick endas said mold bladder is deflation collapsed.

5. The inflatable mold system of claim 3, wherein the mold system alsoincludes an inflatable and deflatable external mold bladder sectionshaped to mold desired shaping on the exterior of candle wax bodiesbeing mold cast.

6. The inflatable mold system of claim 5, including fluid communicationmeans with valve control means for applying fluid pressure from saidfluid pressure means and for connecting said external mold bladder

1. In an inflatable mold system for the casting of objects having aninternal cavity: an inflatable and deflation collapsible external andinternal mold bladder, said internal mold bladder shaped to desiredinternal cavity shape when inflated and deflation collapsed to an easyremovable state when deflated; fluid pressure means; fluid evacuationmeans; valve control means for applying fluid pressure from said fluidpressure means and for connecting said mold bladder in fluidcommunication with said fluid evacuation means; and wherein said moldbladder is shaped with an enlarged portion and a smaller diameter shankwhen inflated to mold an internal cavity having an enlarged cavityportion and a shank opening of smaller diameter than the enlarged cavityportion and extending from the enlarged cavity portion to the exteriorof the object being molded.
 2. The inflatable mold system of claim 1wherein said inflatable and deflatable external mold bladder section isshaped to mold desired shaping on the exterior of mold cast objects;fluid communication and valve control means for applying fluid pressurefrom said fluid pressure means and for connecting said external moldbladder section in fluid communication with said fluid evacuation means.3. In an inflatable mold system for the casting of objects having aninternal cavity: an inflatable and deflation collapsible mold bladdershaped to desired internal cavity shape when inflated and deflationcollapsed to an easy removable state when deflated; fluid pressuremeans; fluid evacuation means; valve control means for applying fluidpressure from said fluid pressure means and for connecting said moldbladder in fluid communication with said fluid evacuation means; saidmold bladder is shaped with an enlarged portion and a smaller diametershank when inflated to mold an internal cavity having an enlarged cavityportion and a shank opening of smaller diameter than the enlaRged cavityportion and extending from the enlarged cavity portion to the exteriorof the object being molded; wherein said object being molded is a candlewax body; the mold bladder material is a material capable ofwithstanding the temperature range cycle of molten candle wax to ambientand repeated inflation and deflation cycles with repeated mold castingcycles; and wherein candle wick positioning and support means isprovided on said mold bladder for positioning a wick in each candle waxbody being mold cast.
 4. The inflatable mold system of claim 3, whereinsaid candle wick positioning and support means includes, an above themold wick carrier; and lower wick end multiple grasping projections fromsaid mold bladder positioned to firmly grasp the lower wick end whensaid mold bladder is in the inflated state and to relax grasping hold onthe lower wick end as said mold bladder is deflation collapsed.
 5. Theinflatable mold system of claim 3, wherein the mold system also includesan inflatable and deflatable external mold bladder section shaped tomold desired shaping on the exterior of candle wax bodies being moldcast.
 6. The inflatable mold system of claim 5, including fluidcommunication means with valve control means for applying fluid pressurefrom said fluid pressure means and for connecting said external moldbladder section in fluid communication with said evacuation means.